Are you a Two? Nine? When you’re stressed, do you go to a One? The Enneagram has become a new trend these past few months. Social networking sites such as Instagram have a plethora of accounts dedicated to the Enneagram, whether they provide knowledgeable information or just spam memes relating to the Enneagram. So, what exactly is the Enneagram?
The Basics
According to the Enneagram Institute, the Enneagram system was created by Oscar Ichazo and taught as a 108-personality system. Today, the Enneagram consists of nine personality types. Each person, regardless of gender, “emerges from childhood with one of the nine types dominating their personality.” Although you may find a little bit of yourself in all nine personalities, you will find one that stands out the most to you.
The Enneagram uses numbers to maintain a neutral value and the order of the nine numbers has nothing to do with significance. For example, a Nine isn’t better than a Four just because of their ranking. As the Enneagram states, “all the personality types have unique assets and liabilities” and this includes healthy, neutral and unhealthy aspects for each number.
What’s My Number?
To know what your specific number would be on the Enneagram scale, a personality test should be taken. There are many tests out there, but unfortunately, many aren’t free. However, one of the best free Enneagram tests out there is administered by Your Enneagram Coach on Instagram. Simply search for their Instagram handle, click the linktr.ee link in their bio and the free test will be listed as an option.
If you’re curious about the meaning of the different numbers, listed below is a brief description of each from the Enneagram Institute.
Type One
Also known as The Reformer and the rational, idealistic type, Ones are seen as “principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.” Those with this type are known to be organized and “morally heroic.”
Type Two
Known as The Helper and the caring, interpersonal type, Twos are “demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.” Individuals with this type tend to be more empathetic and possess unconditional love.
Type Three
Nicknamed The Achiever and the success-oriented, pragmatic type, Threes are “adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.” People who are this type want to be distinguishable and impressive to others.
Type Four
Also known as The Individualist and the sensitive, withdrawn type, Fours are “expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.” Individuals with this type are highly-creative and desire to surround themselves with beauty.
Type Five
Known as The Investigator and the intense, cerebral type, Fives are “perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.” This type of individual desires to understand the environment.
Type Six
Nicknamed The Loyalist and the committed, security-oriented type, Sixes are “engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.” At their best, the individual with this type fearlessly champions themselves and others.
Type Seven
Also known as The Enthusiast and the busy, fun-loving type, Sevens are “spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and scattered.” Because of their extroverted nature, individuals with this type constantly look for new and exciting experiences to maintain their freedom.
Type Eight
Known as The Challenger and the powerful, dominating type, Eights are “self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.” These individuals are inspiring and want to be important in their world.
Type Nine
Nicknamed The Peacemaker and the easygoing, self-effacing type, Nines are “receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent.” All-embracing and supportive, these individuals seek to create harmony in their environment.
So, What’s Next?
Once you know your type, you can learn about your healthy and unhealthy traits and grow as a person. You might even be able to type those around you (e.g. friends and family). The Enneagram goes much deeper than types, however. Similar to learning, once the basics are established, you can add on to your knowledge. In the Enneagram’s case, there’s an opportunity to learn about Wings, Subtypes, Levels of Development, and The Centers. Although this information can greatly change the lives of those who use it, many wonder whether or not the Enneagram test is legit.
Is This Accurate?
The Statistic Solution reports that a study was performed to test the reliability and the validity of the Enneagram. Unfortunately, the most recent study was done in 2009 by Mary Ann Giordano. Giordano based her findings on the Enneagram Institute’s $12 test, known as the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (or RHETI).
Giordano’s results showed that the test’s “internal consistency reliability” ranges from “56% to 82% accuracy” and overall accuracy of “72%”.
It’s Up to You
Even with the Enneagram’s accuracy percentage, the decision to believe everything that the Enneagram states as the absolute truth ultimately depends on the person. Human beings are unique and complicated individuals with a spectrum of personality traits. Regardless of your type, it’s up to you to determine whether or not to use the Enneagram to guide you through life.